Palestine adds 12 sites to UNESCO World Heritage tentative list

The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that 12 new sites have been entered onto UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, raising the total number of Palestinian entries to 23. The additions were made in cooperation with Palestine’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO and aim to increase international visibility for the territory’s cultural and natural heritage.

The announcement comes amid heightened Israeli activity in the occupied West Bank, where authorities have intensified control over archaeological areas such as Sebastia, the Solomon Pools and the Harem‑i‑Ibrahim precinct. Palestinian officials say the new listings are a step toward protecting these sites and advancing future nominations for full World Heritage status.